Recovered Anorexic (I think)

I am 42 yrs old I was anorexic when I was 17, I would go quite some time without eating Like weeks. My lowest weight was about 90 lbs. I became pregnant at 19 yrs old and when I found out I would try to eat but because I had gone for so long without eating I could not keep food down.  I did gain exactly 25 lbs with this pregnancy.  I then tried to eat normally but found that I would just forget to eat, I would be getting ready for bed and have to think what did I eat today sometimes it would be nothing.  I have 6 children all very healthy.  I maintained my weight at 125 lbs to 130,( I am 5' 5")  I noticed that I have problems with germ phobias, or if I look at my food to long I can find something disgusting and then can't eat it, I never would let my kids or spouse eat off of my utinsils, or drink out of my cup, or I get angry when my husband can't skip a meal. I also seem to have developed some issues with OCD.  I know this is not normal thinking but the older I get the worse these things are.  These symptoms did not surface until after my first child was born, and I begain eating somewhat regularly. Is it related to the anorexia?

[Patricia Pitts, PhD]

Dear Recovered Anorexic,

Anorexia is accompanied with other disorders.  You probably have always had anxiety, possibly depression and some form of obsessive compulsive traits.  Obsessive compulsive disorder is common with anorexia.    The American Psychiatric Guidelines, 3rd Editions for Eating Disorders reports “the lifetime prevalence for anxiety appears to be higher for patients with anorexia or bulimia.”  Your symptoms probably got worse due to eating more regularly.  You were no longer using restrictive eating as a way to contain your anxiety.

Anorexia and anxiety are genetic disorders.  Psychotherapy and medication provided by eating disorder specialists could support you greatly to manage your OCD and eating issues.  

For more information on eating disorders, you could visit the bella vita website.

With Joy,

Dr Patricia Pitts
The Bella Vita
Los Angeles, CA